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Undergraduate Music Audition Requirements

 Note: All instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment. 

Brass (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba)

Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

  • An étude;
  • Two movements of contrasting nature and tempi from a sonata or concerto;
  • Please prepare all major scales and arpeggios;
  • Possible sight-reading.

Recorded audition information.

Composition

Pre-screen required.

  • Applicants to the BM in Composition should submit a portfolio of between two and five works (no more), at least one of which must   be for two or more instruments, and at least two of which were written in the last two years.
  • Scores should be legibly notated (by hand or by computer), photocopied (double-sided), and bound; coil or comb binding is recommended.
  • Recordings of your works, if available, are encouraged.
  • Include an accompanying score for each submitted recording.
  • Write a short essay describing your musical influences and enthusiasms and what you hope to achieve as a composer
      (n.b. This is separate from the writing sample about your interest in The Boston Conservatory on the online application.)
  • Applicants may be asked to interview, in which case an in-person interview is preferred.

Applicants should mail their composition portfolio to the following address:

Boston Conservatory
Admissions Office - PRE-SCREEN
8 Fenway
Boston, MA 02215 USA

* Please have the word “PRE-SCREEN” written clearly on the outside of the package. Please do not send originals. All portfolios and recordings submitted become the property of The Boston Conservatory and cannot be returned.

Guitar

Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment. 

All applicants should play their audition on a nylon- or gut-strung classical guitar. All works must be performed by memory.

Prepare one piece from each category:

  • Renaissance or Baroque: one work by Francesco da Milano, Luis Milan, John Dowland, Gaspar Sanz, Robert de Visée, Johann Sebastian Bach, Silvius Leopold Weiss, or similar.
  • Classical or Romantic: one etude or piece by Mauro Giuliani, Fernando Sor, Matteo Carcassi, Johann Kaspar Mertz, Napoleon Coste, Francisco Tarrega, or similar.
  •  20th or 21st Century: One etude, prelude or other piece by Leo Brouwer, Manuel Ponce, Hector Villa-Lobos, or similar.

Sight-reading and scales may be required at the audition.

Recorded audition information.

 Harp

Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

Harp applicants must prepare the following:

  • An étude or technical study;
  • Two single-movement pieces of contrasting mood;
  • One orchestral excerpt and one orchestral cadenza.

Recorded audition information.

Percussion

Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the areas described below:

Snare Drum
Perform both of the following, totaling about four minutes:

  • Concert étude. Suggested composers: Délécluse, Cirone, Aleo, Peters.
  • Rudimental solo. Suggested composers: Pratt, Campbell, Wilcoxon.

Mallets (xylophone, marimba, vibraphone—your choice)

Perform both of the following, totaling at least four minutes:

Note: For two-mallet and/or four-mallet solo, creative adaptations of any other composers' works are most welcome. In general, pieces with tempo fluctuations and a variety of rhythms and characters are preferred over perpetual motion pieces. 

Timpani

Perform following, totaling about three minutes:

  • Solo piece for four drums, about three minutes in duration. Suggested composers: 
  • Woud, Hochrainer, Firth, Délécluse, Lepak, Macarez, Carter.

Note: Etudes that demonstrate standard orchestral timpani musicianship (e.g., Woud or Hochrainer etudes) are preferred over Carter solos.

Recorded audition information.

Piano

Applicants must prepare ALL of the following audition requirements. Applicants with incomplete audition repertoire will not be accepted. 

  • Baroque—a prelude and fugue from the Bach Well-Tempered Clavier or an equivalent Baroque work;
  • Classical—a complete sonata in traditional form, or comparable work; (i.e., Beethoven “Eroica” Variations)
  • Romantic—a major work of the applicant’s choice;
  • 20th Century—a work by a major composer, such as Bartók, Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, Copland, lves, Schoenberg or Messiaen.

All works are to be performed from memory. 

NOTE: All recorded auditions for piano must be in video format. Audio recordings will not be accepted. There must be a visual representation of the pianist in order to be considered for admission. 

Recorded audition information. 

Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)

Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

  • An étude or technical study;
  • Two movements of unaccompanied Bach (bass players may substitute with another work of their choice);
  • A complete movement from the standard concerto repertoire;
  • Using the Schott or International Edition Orchestral Excerpt books, select one excerpt from a Mozart Symphony and one excerpt from any Romantic-period orchestral work;
  • Prepare all major and minor scales (minimum 4 notes slurred per bow) and arpeggios (3 notes slurred per bow);
  • There will be a brief rhythmic/ear-training evaluation at the Boston audition.

Note: For recorded auditions, please include the orchestral excerpts as well as one major and one minor scale and arpeggio of your choice.

Recorded audition information.

Voice

Pre-screen required.

All voice applicants require the submission of a pre-screen recording (audio only) by the December 1st application deadline.

The required method for submitting your recording is online via DecisionDesk. You will need to register and submit your pre-screen by December 1. The submission fee is $10.  CDs or DVDs are not permitted. For more information about submitting recorded auditions, please click here.

This pre-screen recording must be accompanied, audio only (no video, please), and should include representative pieces which fulfill the audition requirements (below). They do not have to be the repertoire you plan to sing for your audition.

All works are to be performed from memory. If you are invited for a live audition, a staff accompanist will be provided by The Boston Conservatory.

  • An Italian art song from the 17th or 18th century
  • An art song in German or French
  • An art song in English (not in translation)
  • No operatic arias, please

*Please note that Bachelor of Music applicants cannot audition for the Opera Emphasis option until their sophomore year at the Boston Conservatory.

Recorded audition information.

Woodwinds (Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Saxophone)

Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

NOTE: If you are submitting a recorded audition, please make sure that there is no accompaniment and that the recording has not been edited and does not contain reverb.

  • An étude
  • Two movements of a contrasting nature from a sonata or concerto

Recorded audition information.

Graduate and Post-Graduate Music Audition Requirements

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Note: All instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

Artist Diploma

Pre-screen required.

Artist Diploma applicants are required to submit a pre-screen audition portfolio in the form of a press kit along with a submitted appplication by December 1. Qualified applicants are expected to be actively pursuing a professional career and have demonstrated success through concert programs, reviews, orchestral employment, etc. Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree to be considered, and based on the pre-screen may be invited to a live audition in Boston.

Pre-screen portfolio/press kit must include the following:

  1. Copies of concert programs (Note: Please make sure you only send copies, as we cannot return originals.)
  2. A complete repertoire list
  3. Four letters of recommendation
  4. An artistic resume detailing your career and study to date, and a one-page essay describing your reasons and goals for pursuing an Artist Diploma at The Boston Conservatory
  5. A pre-screen audition recording (video preferred)
  • Instrumentalists should prepare 20 minutes of contrasting material that demonstrate a high level of musical and technical artistry.
  • The voice department requires a preliminary recording consisting of no less than 10 minutes of music, including song literature in English, Italian, German and French, as well as one oratorio or operatic aria in the original language.

Our preferred method of receiving your recording is online via DecisionDesk. Please register and submit your recording by December 1. More details about recorded auditions can be found here.

You may choose to mail your press-kit and recordings to this address:

Boston Conservatory
Admissions Office PRE-SCREEN
8 Fenway
Boston, MA 02215
USA

The deadline for all Artist Diploma Program applications and all supporting materials is December 1.

Based on the review of the recording, applicants may be invited to a live audition at The Boston Conservatory. Those invited to audition for the Artist Diploma Program must prepare a full-length recital program, including a concerto (instrumentalists only). Accompanists are required for all Artist Diploma Program auditions, and are not provided by The Boston Conservatory.

Recorded audition information.

 Brass

(Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba)
* Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

Prepare two movements of contrasting nature from the solo repertoire and three (3) orchestral excerpts.  For your solo repertoire, you may choose from the suggested pieces below or make your own choices at a similar level of difficulty.  We ask that you play the listed excerpts.  In addition, please prepare all major and minor (natural, melodic and harmonic) scales and arpeggios and be prepared to sight-read. 

If you are submitting a recorded audition, please make sure that there is no accompaniment, and that the recording has not been edited and does not contain reverb. Recorded auditions should also include one major and three minor scales (one each: natural, melodic and harmonic) and corresponding arpeggios. For more information about submitting recorded auditions, please click here.

Trumpet

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Haydn: Concerto
  • Hindemith: Sonata

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Beethoven: Leonore (No. 2 and No. 3)
  • Stravinsky: Petrushka (Ballerina’s Dance)
  • Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

French Horn

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 2, 3 or 4
  • Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1 or 2
  • Gliere: Horn Concerto

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Strauss: Opening solo from Til Eulenspiegel
  • Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, 2nd Movement solo
  • Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, 1st Movement, Horn 1, Rehearsal 17-21

Trombone

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Martin: Ballade
  • Milhaud: Concerto d’Hiver
  • Tomasi: Concerto

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Mozart: Tuba Mirum
  • Ravel: Bolero
  • Berlioz: Hungarian March

Bass Trombone

Suggested Repertoire

  • Ewazen: Concerto
  • T.R. George: Concerto

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Beethoven: Symphony no. 9
  • Strauss: Ein Heldenleben
  • Wagner: The Ride of the Valkyries

Tuba

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Hindemith: Sonata
  • Vaughan Williams: Concerto

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries
  • Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5
  • Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

Recorded audition information.

Choral Conducting

Pre-screen required.

Applicants must submit a pre-screening recording by the December 1 application deadline. All recorded auditions must be submitted online via DecisionDesk. You will need to register by clicking the link above and pay a $10 fee to submit your materials by December 1. For more information, please click here. 

The pre-screen video must contain the following:

  • A rehearsal and a performance;
  • A repertoire list;
  • Two letters of recommendation from two artist/teachers who can most fully discuss your potential in the field of choral conducting;
  • Applicant should also provide a self-assessment of piano skills and experience with languages (Latin, German, French).

Applicants may be invited to audition and interview at The Boston Conservatory based on an evaluation of the materials submitted above, as well as submission of a complete application. During auditions, applicants will be asked to:

  • Rehearse with The Boston Conservatory Chorale for 1/2 hour. During this 1/2 hour, the applicant should expect to:
    • Do a brief warm-up.
    • Conduct a complete work or movement from a larger work that the Chorale is preparing for its spring performance. 
    • Introduce a work or an excerpt from a larger work of the applicant’s choosing, approved by Dr. Cutter, Director of Choral Programs at The Boston Conservatory.
  • Interview with Dr. Cutter (1 hour). During the interview—an informal chat about conducting experience and goals—the candidate will be asked to:
  • Demonstrate piano skills by playing a prepared piano piece of your choosing.
  • Play open score (SATB) at the level of a Bach chorale.
  • Aurally identify intervals, scales, triads and harmonic progressions.
  • You may also perform on your major instrument if you would like to.

Collaborative Piano

Pre-screen required.

All collaborative piano applicants must submit a pre-screen recording (video required) by December 1. All recorded auditions must be submitted online via DecisionDesk. You will need to register by clicking the link above and pay a $10 fee to submit your materials by the deadline. For more information, please click here. 

The pre-screen audition requirements are video of the applicant performing the following, along with an instrumentalist and a vocalist: 

  •  Any outer movement of a Brahms sonata for violin, viola or cello
  •  Two art songs of contrasting nature

 Applicants who are invited for a live audition must prepare to perform the following:

  • Piece(s) for solo piano (or section of a larger work) totaling about 10 minutes in length.
  • Sonata in A major for violin and piano of Cesar Frank, movements one and two, to be performed with a violinist provided by the Conservatory
  • The following songs, all in original keys, to be performed with a singer provided by the Conservatory:
    • Debussy: C'est l'extase from Ariettes Oubliées
    • Schubert: Ganymede
    • Strauss: Allerseelen
  •     Sight reading 

Composition

Pre-screen required.

  • Applicants to the MM in Composition or the PSC in Composition should submit a portfolio of between three and six works (no more), at least one of which must be for large ensemble (over 10 players), and at least two of which were written in the last two years.
  • Scores should be legibly notated (by hand or by computer) photocopied (double-sided) and bound.
  • Recordings of your work are encouraged.
  • Be sure that there is an accompanying score for each submitted recording.
  • Write a short essay describing your musical influences and enthusiasms and what you hope to achieve as a composer (Note: This is separate from the writing sample about your interest in the Boston Conservatory, in the online application.)
  • Applicants may be asked to interview, in which case an in-person interview is required.

Applicants must mail their composition portfolio to the following address:

Boston Conservatory
Admissions Office - PRESCREEN
8 Fenway
Boston, MA 02215 USA

* Please have the word “PRESCREEN” written clearly on the outside of the package. Please do not send originals. All portfolios and recordings submitted become the property of The Boston Conservatory and cannot be returned.

Guitar

Instrumental auditions must be performed without an accompaniment. 

All applicants should play their audition on a nylon- or gut-strung classical guitar. All works must be performed by memory.

Prepare a substantial concert piece from each category:

  • Renaissance or Baroque: Prelude, Fugue, Fantasie or large suite movement by John Dowland, Johann Sebastian Bach, Silvius Leopold Weiss, or similar.
  • Classical or Romantic: a Sonata Allegro movement, concert etude, set of variations or character piece by Mauro Giuliani, Fernando Sor, Johann Kaspar Mertz, Giulio Regondi, Francisco Terrega, Agustin Barrios, or similar.
  • 20th or 21st Century: a work by Frank Martin, Hans Werner Henze, Reginald Smith Brindle, Benjamin Britten, Leo Brouwer, Nikita Koshkin, or similar.

Sight-reading and scales may be required at the audition.

Harp

*Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

  • An étude or technical study;
  • Two single-movement pieces of contrasting mood;
  • One orchestral excerpt and one orchestral cadenza.

Recorded audition information.

Marimba

*Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

On marimba, perform three works of contrasting styles totaling a minimum of 20 minutes. At least two of these must utilize four mallets; one or two must have been composed since 1970. Adaptations by the applicant are welcome; creativity in repertoire selection is encouraged. For suggestions, see "Recommended Solos" here.

The applicant should be prepared to sight-read.

Recorded audition information.

Music Education

Master of Music in Music Education (MMED) and Graduate Diploma in Music Education (GDME):

  • Complete an interview with the Chair of the Music Education Department.
  • Demonstrate your musicianship on an instrument. If your undergraduate degree is not in music performance or composition, you will be required to present a live audition for the Chair of the Music Education Department. International applicants may present recorded auditions by special request. If your undergraduate degree is in music performance or composition, you will not be required to present an audition. If your undergraduate degree is in music education, you will be required to audition. The audition should consist of 5 minutes of your choice of music to demonstrate your musicianship.
  • Auditions and interviews are conducted at the same appointment.
  • Submit your artistic/professional resumé.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation.
  • Write a short essay about how you became interested in music education.

Recorded audition information.

Orchestral Conducting

Pre-screen required.

All Orchestral Conducting applicants must submit a pre-screen recording by December 1.  All recorded auditions must be submitted online via DecisionDesk. You will need to register by clicking the link above and pay a $10 fee to submit your materials by the deadline. For more information, please click here. 

The pre-screen must contain the following:

  • A resumé highlighting the applicant’s performing, conducting and educational experience;
  • A repertoire list of compositions conducted in performance and/or rehearsal;
  • Two artistic letters of recommendation from teachers or faculty who have observed the applicant conducting;
  • A 30-minute video of the applicant conducting any instrumental ensemble in rehearsal—any repertoire. The recording camera should be facing the conductor;
  • A 15-minute audio recording of the applicant performing recently prepared repertoire on the applicant’s primary instrument/voice.

Applicants may be invited to audition and interview at The Boston Conservatory based on an evaluation of the materials submitted above, as well as submission of a complete application. During auditions, applicants will be asked to:

  • Conduct The Boston Conservatory Conductor's Orchestra in repertoire the orchestra is currently preparing.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in orchestration, score analysis, sight singing, ear training and dictation, repertoire and standard terminology in English, French and Italian.

Percussion

*Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

  1. Graduate applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the areas described below.
  2. In addition, graduate applicants must prepare two (2) standard orchestral excerpts each for snare drum, timpani, and xylophone. 
  3. Graduate applicants must also be prepared to sight-read on all the instruments below.

Snare Drum:

Perform both of the following, totaling about four minutes:

  • Concert étude. Suggested composers: Délécluse, Cirone, Aleo, Peters.
  • Rudimental solo. Suggested composers: Pratt, Campbell, Wilcoxon.

Mallets (xylophone, marimba, vibraphone—your choice)

Perform both of the following, totaling at least four minutes:

Note: For two-mallet and/or four-mallet solo, creative adaptations of any other composers' works are most welcome. In general, pieces with tempo fluctuations and a variety of rhythms and characters are preferred over perpetual motion pieces. 

Timpani

Perform following, totaling about three minutes:

  • Solo piece for four drums, about three minutes in duration. Suggested composers: Woud, Hochrainer, Firth, Délécluse, Lepak, Macarez, Carter.

Note: Etudes that demonstrate standard orchestral timpani musicianship (e.g., Woud or Hochrainer etudes) are preferred over Carter solos.

Recorded audition information.

Piano

Piano applicants must submit an audition repertoire list to the Admissions Office no later than December 1. Applicants must prepare ALL of the following audition requirements:

  • Baroque—a prelude and fugue from the Bach Well-Tempered Clavier or an equivalent Baroque work;
  • Classical—a complete sonata in traditional form, or comparable work; (i.e., Beethoven “Eroica” Variations)
  • Romantic—a major work of the applicant’s choice;
  • 20th Century—a work by a major composer, such as Bartók, Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, Copland, lves, Schoenberg or Messiaen.

NOTE: All works are to be performed from memory. 

Applicants with incomplete audition repertoire will not be accepted. Please be aware that you may not be granted an audition if the piano faculty finds your submitted audition repertoire is not at the appropriate level for admissions to the Conservatory.

NOTE: All recorded auditions must be in video format. Audio recordings will not be accepted. There must be a visual representation of the pianist in order to be considered for admission. 

Recorded audition information.

Strings

(Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)

*Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

  • An étude or technical study;
  • Two movements of unaccompanied Bach;
  • A complete movement from the standard concerto repertoire;
  • A work of the applicant’s choice (a 20th century work is recommended);
  • Using the Schott or International Edition Orchestral Excerpt books: select two excerpts from the symphonies of Mozart #35–41 and two excerpts from a Brahms symphony.
  • There will be a brief rhythmic/ear-training evaluation at the Boston audition.
  • Please prepare all major and minor scales (minimum 4 notes slurred per bow) and arpeggios (3 notes slurred per bow).
  • Recorded auditions: Please include the orchestral excerpts as well as one major and one minor scale and arpeggio of your choice.

Recorded audition information.

String Pedagogy

(Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)

*Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

  • Movement of standard Concerto
  • One movement of unaccompanied Bach
  • Using the Schott or International Edition Orchestral Excerpt books: select one excerpt from the symphonies of Mozart #35–41, and one excerpt from a Brahms symphony.
  • Please prepare all major and minor scales (minimum 4 notes slurred per bow) and arpeggios (3 notes slurred per bow).
  • Complete an interview with the Coordinator of the String Pedagogy Department, Mr. Rictor Noren. Auditions and interviews are conducted at the same appointment.

Recorded audition information.

 

Vocal Pedagogy

Pre-screen required.

All Vocal Pedagogy applicants require the submission of a pre-screen recording (audio only) by the December 1st application deadline.

The required method for submitting your recording is through DecisionDesk.  You will need to register and submit your pre-screen by December 1.  The submission fee is $10.  CDs or DVDs are not permitted.   For more information about submitting recorded auditions, please click here.

This pre-screen recording must be accompanied, audio only, and should include representative pieces which fulfill the audition requirements (below). They do not have to be the repertoire you plan to sing for your audition. All works are to be performed from memory. All Vocal Pedagogy applicants must audition live in Boston, and an accompanist will be provided.

Applicants must be prepared to perform all of the following:

  • An Italian art song
  • An art song in either French or German
  • An art song in English (not a translation)
  • Optional: an aria from an opera or oratorio
  • Optional: a selection from the classical or contemporary musical theater genre

If invited to a live audition, each applicant will have a phone interview with Director Kevin Wilson and either the Chair of Voice and Opera or a designated member of the Voice Faculty prior to the singing audition.

Note: Recorded auditions are NOT accepted. All Vocal Pedagogy applicants must audition live in Boston.

Voice

Pre-screen required.

All voice applicants must submit a pre-screen recording (audio only) by the December 1 application deadline.

The required method for submitting your recording is through DecisionDesk. You will need to register and submit your pre-screen by December 1.  The submission fee is $10.  CDs or DVDs are not permitted.   For more information about submitting recorded auditions, please click here.

This pre-screen recording must be accompanied, audio only, and should include representative pieces which fulfill the audition requirements (below). This does not have to be the same repertoire you plan to sing for your audition.

All works are to be performed from memory. An accompanist is provided for all voice auditions at Boston Conservatory.

Applicants must be prepared to perform all of the following:

  • An Italian art song
  • An art song in German
  • An art song in French
  • An art song in English (not in translation)
  • Optional: an aria from an opera or oratorio

 Recorded audition information.

Opera

 Pre-screen required.

All Opera applicants require the submission of a pre-screen recording (audio only) by December 1.

The required method for submitting your recording is through DecisionDesk. You will need to register and submit your pre-screen by December 1.  The submission fee is $10.  CDs or DVDs are not permitted.   For more information about submitting recorded auditions, please click here.

This pre-screen recording must be accompanied, audio only, and should include representative pieces which fulfill the audition requirements (below). This does not have to be the same repertoire you plan to sing for your audition.

All works are to be performed from memory. An accompanist is provided for all voice auditions at Boston Conservatory.

 Applicants must be prepared to perform all of the following:

Three arias in contrasting style and language:

  • one in Italian
  • German or French must be represented in your aria selections
  • optional inclusion of an oratorio aria

Three art songs: 

  • one in English (not in translation)
  • two in languages of your choice

Note: Recorded auditions are NOT accepted. All Opera applicants must audition live in Boston.

Woodwinds

(Flute, Optional Piccolo, Oboe, Optional English Horn, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone)

Note: Instrumental auditions must be performed without accompaniment.

*If you are submitting a recorded audition, please make sure that there is no accompaniment, and that the recording has not been edited and does not contain reverb. For more information about submitting recorded auditions, please click here.

All woodwind applicants must prepare the following:

  • Two movements of contrasting nature from the solo repertoire and two orchestral excerpts—suggested repertoire is as follows:

Flute

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Prokofiev Sonata
  • Poulenc Sonata
  • Mozart Concerto

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Beethoven: Leonore Overture
  • Brahms: 4th Symphony
  • Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo

Optional Piccolo

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Vivaldi Piccolo Concerto

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 9
  • Rossini: Semiramide Overture

Oboe

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Mozart Concerto
  • Vaughan-Williams Concerto
  • Ferling Études
  • Barrett Étude

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra
  • Beethoven: 3rd Symphony
  • Rossini: La Scala di Seta Overture

Optional English Horn

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Donizetti Concertino

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Berlioz Roman: Carnival Overture
  • Dvôrák: New World Symphony (Largo)
  • Debussy: Nocturnes, Fetes

Clarinet

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Mozart Concerto
  • Weber: either Concerto

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Scherzo
  • Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol
  • Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, Second movement

Bassoon

Suggested Repertoire:

  • Mozart Concerto

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Beethoven: 4th Symphony
  • Strauss: Don Juan
  • Stravinsky: Rite of Spring

Saxophone

Suggested Repertoire:

  • A movement from the standard concerto repertoire
  • A movement from the standard sonata repertoire
  • A work of the applicant’s choice (new music or transcription)

Orchestral Excerpts:

  • Milhaud: Creation of the World
  • Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition (Available in “The Orchestral Saxophonist”, volumes 1 and 2, published by RonCorp, Cherry Hill, NJ)

Recorded audition information.

Multi-Woodwind

Pre-screen required.

All multi-woodwind applicants must submit a pre-screen recording by December 1. The required method for submitting your recording is through DecisionDesk. You will need to register and submit your pre-screen by the deadline.  The submission fee is $10.  CDs or DVDs are not permitted.   For more information about submitting recorded auditions, please click here.

The recording should represent ability on three different woodwind family instruments. The three instruments studied must include a minimum of 3 instrumental families (i.e. no multi clarinets, no multi saxes). For each instrument, the applicant should prepare a standard repertoire Sonata or Concerto from any time period which contains contrasting musical material, and displays the applicant's best work on each instrument. Each recording should supply 5-7 minutes of music for each instrument. NO piano accompaniment, please. Also, please include scales which demonstrate your complete range on all three instruments.

Selected applicants will then attend a live audition at The Boston Conservatory in February. Each applicant must be accepted on all three instruments by faculty in order to gain acceptance to the Multi-Woodwind Graduate program.

Note: Please make sure that on the pre-screen recording there is no accompaniment and that the recording has not been edited and does not contain reverb.

Recorded audition information.

Recorded Auditions

Our preferred method of receiving audition recordings is online through DecisionDesk.

For more information about recorded auditions, please click here. 

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